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727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081

(610) 543-4712

Our Pastors

Rev. Richard R. Wohlschlaeger

Pastor

Dick became Pastor of SPC in the fall of 1993, having previously served as Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Youth Ministry at First United Church of Oak Park, Illinois. A native of St. Louis, he grew up in the United Church of Christ, becoming Presbyterian as a young adult in Annapolis, Maryland, where he taught English at the U.S. Naval Academy for ten years. Dick is a graduate of Elmhurst College (B.A. in English, 1963), Columbia University (M.A. in 18th Century English Literature, 1964), and McCormick Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity, 1985). Following graduation from seminary he did independent study in the Reformation in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Geneva, Switzerland, where he served on the staff of St. Giles’ Cathedral. He is also a certified marriage and family therapist through the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. Dick and his wife Kathy have three grown children and four grandchildren.

My dream after answering the call to ministry at the age of thirty-nine would have been to serve a congregation as engaging and loving and responsive as the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church. I have been blessed to serve this people.

Rev. Dick Wohlschlaeger may be reached at 610-543-4712 ext. 113 or dickw@swarthmorepres.org.

Rev. John V. Weicher

Associate Pastor for Christian Education & Youth Ministry

John came to SPC in the fall of 2005. Some of his specific responsibilities include leading the high school and middle school youth programs, teaching the 8th-grade confirmation class, and supporting the children’s and adult education programs. John grew up in Washington, DC, attending Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. He has degrees from Princeton University (A.B. in religion) and Columbia Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity). John loves to work with the larger church, having directed the Montreat Youth Conference (2007) and Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference (2004 & 2005), as well as having interned in the National Volunteers Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA). John is married to Laurie Taylor Weicher, who is Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, PA.

I believe that God has placed a spark of faith in every one of God’s children. I am drawn to those sparks and see my ministerial task as helping fan them into raging conflagrations. I love working with young people in particular and have felt called to minister to them since I was a senior in high school.

Rev. John Weicher may be reached at 610-543-4712 ext. 119 or john.weicher@swarthmorepres.org.

Rev. Lisa M. Day

AP for Congregational Care & Older Adult Ministry

Lisa came to SPC in February 2008 as her first ordained call. Lisa’s responsibilities include working as staff liaison to the Board of Deacons and supporting the Stephen Ministry program as a member of our Stephen Leader team, as well as a ministry of visitation in the nine retirement communities where more than 100 of our members reside. Lisa grew up Episcopalian on Guam, USA; as a young adult she joined the Presbyterian Church (USA) and was ordained an elder. She has degrees from Occidental College (A.B. in English Literature), UCLA School of Law (J.D.), and -- a couple of decades later -- Princeton Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity). Lisa is a second career pastor, having spent twenty years in her first call as a public interest attorney in Los Angeles and Philadelphia specializing in access to medical and social service benefits for low income folks, older adults, and those with disabilities. Lisa is a single mother of three teens.

I appreciate that the church remains a place where those of many ages and perspectives can gather to share life and faith. I marvel at how the Spirit inspires gifts and vocations in those who might other places be seen only as needing care. I was delighted to find in Swarthmore Presbyterian Church a congregation which values older adults with much wisdom and richness of experience to share, which welcomes folks with disabilities, and which appreciates youngsters who can be some of the best theologians a congregation has to offer.

Rev. Lisa Day may be reached at 610-543-4712 ext. 117 or lisa.day@swarthmorepres.org.